Fixing your daily diet with some plant-based foods can significantly reduce LDL cholesterol levels, boost overall immunity, and help keep the Heart healthy. Leafy greens, berries, oats, nuts and seeds, avocado, legumes, whole grains, and garlic are some common foods that promote Heart health by reducing cholesterol levels and supporting cardiovascular health.
Winters call for extra care as it is the time when the number of cardiac cases and strokes increase due to an extremely sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, and stressful life. However, fixing your daily diet with some plant-based foods can significantly reduce LDL cholesterol levels and keep the Heart healthy, reducing the risk of strokes and cardiac attacks.
Why plant-based food?
According to health experts, including plant-based foods coupled with exercise or a healthy lifestyle can significantly improve Heart health and also boost overall immunity during winters. Apart from that, most plant-based foods are unprocessed and have high amounts of fiber, nutrients, and antioxidants that promote overall health and help reduce cholesterol levels and boost cardiac health.
Common plant-based foods that can improve Heart health:
- Leafy Greens: Leafy greens like spinach, kale, collard greens, and Swiss chard are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are also high in fiber, which supports Heart health by reducing cholesterol levels.
- Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are packed with antioxidants, including anthocyanins, which have been associated with a lower risk of Heart disease.
- Oats: Oats are one of the healthiest plant-based foods that can reverse clogging up of arteries. Oats contain beta-glucans, a type of soluble fiber that helps lower cholesterol levels.
- Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and hemp seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants. They can help lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation.
- Avocado: Avocados are a great source of monounsaturated fats and can help reduce bad cholesterol levels while increasing good cholesterol levels.